Harper’s Humiliating Muzzle on Scientists

The scandal is growing at Environment Canada of how Canadian climate researchers are being “muzzled” by draconian policies of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

This week the Montreal Gazette reported on a leaked document showing that the information restrictions brought in by the Harper government have severely restricted the media’s access to government researchers.

“Scientists have noticed a major reduction in the number of requests, particularly from high-profile media, who often have same-day deadlines,” said the Environment Canada document. “Media coverage of climate change science, our most high-profile issue, has been reduced by over 80 per cent.”

Since 2007, Environment Canada has required senior federal scientists to seek permission from the government prior to giving interviews, often requiring them to get approval from supervisors of written responses to the questions submitted by journalists before any interview.

“Many [federal climate change] scientists are recognized experts in their field, have received media training, and have successfully carried out media interviews for many years,” said the document, leaked by an Environment Canada employee who asked not to be named.

“Our scientists are very frustrated with the new process. They feel the intent of the policy is to prevent them from speaking to media… There is a widespread perception among Canadian media that our scientists have been ‘muzzled’ by the media relations policy.”

Control at its worst: scientist

The leaked document came to light through research done by the Climate Action Network for a scathing report on the laundry list of restrictions on climate researchers since the Harper regime came to power.

According to Dr. David Schindler at the University of Alberta: “It is clear that muzzling under the Harper government is the most oppressive in the history of federal government science. Incredibly, some of the most eminent scientists in Canada have been forbidden to speak publicly on scientific matters where they are recognized as world experts.”

‘Our community is gutted’

Not apparently content restricting the flow of existing climate information, the Harper government also cancelled funding for a decade-long climate research project that was recognized around the world for its importance.

In less than 12 months, major research collaborations among industry, government laboratories and universities will collapse — and with them the jobs of numerous scientists, students and technicians. The country is already bleeding talent… Without sound scientific information, how will the government evaluate the effectiveness of green technologies, or build northern infrastructure, or develop our energy industry, or assure water supply and clean air?

Presumably that’s the point. The Harper government seems to be seeking to strangle research, silence scientists and muzzle the media.

So ham-handed are these efforts to stifle the truth that this story has now spilled across our borders into the international press. A story this week from The Guardian shows how the world is beginning to notice the bizarre censorship policies now pervasive in once-bucolic Canada.

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3 responses to “Harper Denial Machine Suppressing Science Data”

Um, I don’t understand. I find it hard to believe that Harper could stop a scientist from talking to anyone.

Is Harper muzzling scientists or is he keeping journalists from talking to scientists? If climate researchers have something to say, what’s keeping them from contacting a journalist or if journalists want to know something, what’s keeping them from contacting a climate researcher? Nothing. Muzzling anyone is an impossible task.

I find your claim of muzzling scientists a bit hard to swallow. I think the real reason is that climate alarmism is garnering zero attention from the public now and as a result journalists aren’t interested in it anymore. The topic has run its course.

Climate alarmism is old news now, perhaps that explains the situation. I’m not really buying the muzzling thing.

@klem Did you read the article? Are you informed on academia and research funding? I actually find it VERY easy to believe that scientists are being muzzled by threats of withholding funds, agency policies and budget cuts. It’s made even more believable by the fact that this comes from a rightwing government, supported by and fond of big polluting companies. Your choice of calling it climate alarmism rather tends to betray you as an industry shill….
In fact, science proves Climate change is happening, will continue to worsen and we ought to do something about it. But that means less profits for certain parties and so they do not want us to talk about it, just like you do… Of course conspirators almost always try to deride, ridicule, ad hominem or… silence those that would seek to expose their conspiracy 🙂